Plymouth Unsung Heroes: Ignatius Tarajos, Igniting a Legacy

Ignatius "Iggy" Tarajos, the glue that holds the PSU Men's Ice Hockey Team together, works day in and day out to be the most professional and dexterous equipment manager DIII ice hockey has ever come across.

"In my opinion he is the unsung hero everyday at practice and games, whether it's staying at the rink until midnight the night before a game to make sure everything is perfect, or going out and spending his own dollar on a sewing machine just to make sure we don't have holes in our practice socks. Iggy is the definition of a team guy," said senior Assistant Captain, Kyle Greco.

Tarajos was recruited to play for the men's ice hockey team during the 2009-2010 season, but as the program and arena expanded, his career fell short. Although he was no longer a player on the roster, he remained a crucial member of the team as the equipment manager.

"There was no looking back. This is what I have now committed to as a career path, and I'm not wasting anytime in building my knowledge for the future," said the senior himself, Ignatius Tarajos.

Having been playing competitive ice hockey for 19 years, Tarajos understands what it takes to be an ice hockey player and what the game demands.

"Overall he's a great guy to have around, he does things the way he would want it if he were playing," said Plymouth Men's Ice Hockey Coach, Craig Russell.

The equipment room was once used as a team storage room underneath the bleachers, and Tarajos transformed it into a space for the players to find any screw, blade, steel, or any other piece of equiptment imaginable. It is a room that every hockey player dreams of.

"It is the most professional environment I will ever experience in my hockey career," said senior Captain JC Richardson.

Tarajos, and his assistant, James Tullie, along with the help of players, arena staff, coaches, and the PSU Athletic Department have helped create this room from the ground up.

"My assistant James Tullie, helped me tremendously through these months to get ready for the season. It felt like we never left the rink. We feel that we have built something for both the men and women's programs here that are crucial parts of its success in the future and are very proud of it," said  Tarajos.

As soon as the men finish up practice, Tarajos heads into the equipment room from the ice and collects all of the practice socks and practice jerseys and puts them in the wash. He then checks and adjusts skates, helmets, and anything else that needs to be fixed, sharpened, or cleaned.

"I pride myself on everything looking clean and professional at all times. If you're around me enough, you will notice that everything needs to be uniform because it just looks pro," said Tarajos.

Gamedays are always the most thrilling part of Tarajos's job, he mentioned, "I put a massive amount of pressure on myself to not miss even a second because I could theoretically change the out come of the game in a positive or negative way in that split second if the player is ill equipped," said Tarajos.

Tarajos is an undergraduate student studying sports management, and professional communications here at PSU. It is his goal to make it to the NHL (the show), and possibly one day be an equiptment manager for a Stanley Cup ice hockey team.

"He is the glue that keeps the team together, he makes them feel like they are in the pros, and that is a big deal," said Russell.

Tarajos has had the opportunity to work for the American Hockey League, the Manchester Monarchs. The Monarchs are a farm team for the LA Kings, NHL Stanley Cup winners of last season. He plans on finishing out his internship with the program fulltime after the PSU hockey season is over.

"It is safe to say Iggy is the only person in the MASCAC [Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference] who has a chance to make it to the show," said senior Captain JC Richardson.

He has also had the opportunity to work for a hockey shop in Salem, NH called TSR where he has worked for the past two summers under some very experienced co-workers in the hockey industry. 

"Getting the job done right and as fast as possible is a fun challenge, its how you learn. I've acquired the specific tools for pretty much anything you can think of," said Tarajos.

At the DIII level, it isn't very common to have an equipment manager on a sports team; most teams do not get this type of luxury. 

"He is not just an 'EQ GUY', he is our backbone.  He comes to the rink and does his part day in and day out.  He knows better than anybody that it takes a whole team working toward one common goal to win championships, and Iggy pulls his weight and then some," said Greco.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Iggy around. I can think of many times when Iggy has saved the day, but he is also the kind of person who makes your day," said Richardson.

Tarajos adds more to the men's ice hockey team than just his infinite amount of skills; he also brings a lot of character to the team dynamic and atmosphere.

"He is one of the guys, when he walks in the room, the guys love having him around. He enjoys every victory as much as the players do," said Coach Russell.

The Men's Ice Hockey program is in the process of trying to find a replacement once Tarajosgraduates. They are currently working to find a student from the sports management department to fill in the position for next year, and earn credit.

"There is never going to be another Iggy, you're probably never going to replace a guy like that. He has set the bench mark really high, but he set the bench mark for what is expected of equipment managers, and he goes above and beyond," said Russell.

"I couldn't be more prepared and excited for my future thanks to my time at PSU," said Tarajos, "and hopefully, I'll see ya in the show."